Dr Debbie Stuart DClinPsych, MSc, MSc, BSc

About me

I trained and worked as a clinician in the NHS for 13 years until July 2016. During my most recent years in the NHS I held a senior position which, as well as seeing clients, involved managing a service, providing training placements and teaching staff and doctoral students. Alongside my private practice, I now also hold an academic post part-time.

I have my own practice in a quiet location in SW16 (please click through to my own website for details), where I offer evening and daytime appointments to individuals, couples and families. Over the years I have developed a specialist interest in working with relationship issues. This includes helping those individuals who are struggling to find or maintain healthy relationships as well as working with couples who need help in negotiating the issues they are faced with. However, I also see individuals with a range of other issues such as anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma or illness. Often people come to me because they just feel they are struggling with life, whatever the cause or the name we give it.

What To ExpectIf you decide to work with me, I will take an open-minded and non-judgemental approach to therapy. I offer a peaceful and calm space where I will work together with you to consider what is troubling you and how we can find a way forward. I have an empathic, collaborative style, gently challenging at times, helping you to think about problems from different perspectives in a way that enables you to untangle issues and move forward in life.

How I WorkMy approach usually starts with a consideration of how problems are affecting you day by day. I will be interested in understanding patterns and how these seem to have developed. As the work progresses we will often (although not always) start to make links between the here and now and some of the early experiences you had. This can be painful but I believe this process can be very important in making progress in the way we relate to both ourselves and others. I will be guided by you but am skilled in creating a therapeutic relationship that enables us to have some of these more painful conversations.

The First SessionI am aware that seeking help often comes after a long period of wondering what to do and trying other ways to feel better. For some people the idea of meeting a therapist and starting therapy for the first time can seem daunting. You may not know what to expect, or feel concerned that talking will bring up painful emotions or memories. I welcome initial telephone conversations where we can talk through some of your concerns before arranging to meet. At the first meeting we can then go into a little more detail and start to consider whether a course of therapy might be useful.

Why Choose Me?Ultimately, I hope to support you in finding a way forward that fits for you. For some of my individual clients this has meant being able to find and stay in a healthy relationship, or to understand and reduce feelings of depression or anxiety; for some couples it has meant understanding and changing some of the patterns they have been stuck in, or sometimes it has meant bringing a relationship to an end in a way that feels manageable for both individuals (and sometimes children when they have been affected). Therapy can be short or long-term, depending on what the issues are and what you are looking for.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am a Clinical Psychologist and Systemic Psychotherapist (this means I have specialist training in working with couples and families), registered with the HCPC and the UKCP. I have been practicing since 2003, completing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London in 2006, and later completing my MSc in Family Therapy at King’s College London in 2014.

I am trained in a number of models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Psychotherapy and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. I use elements of each of these models in my work, adapting the therapy to the client’s needs. I work mostly with adults and their children.

I have training and experience of working with a wide range of difficulties, including relationship issues, anxiety, depression, bereavement, health problems and the issues that can arise as we get older, including coping with dementia or other conditions. I can offer both short and long-term therapy with individuals, couples and families. Depending on the client needs, I offer focused work on a specific issue (eg anxiety) or more exploratory work that builds resilience (eg after a relationship break-up). I welcome initial telephone conversations where we can start to consider what your needs are.